The Uganda Peoples Defence Force has countered social media posts announcing the death of ailing former security minister Gen. Elly Tumwine.
General Tumwine, 68, was airlifted to Nairobi for treatment on Tuesday last week in a critical state, days after he reportedly collapsed at a wedding ceremony.
The army General has since been admitted at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi battling an unknown ailment.
However, social media has been abuzz with posts of his death, prompting reaction from the Army and family alike. The latest is a social media post purportedly from a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Twitter handle announcing that Gen. Tumwine died on Sunday night at 10:00pm.
Following this announcement, Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF spokesperson dismissed the rumours with contempt.
Kulayigye stated that social media has decayed to the extent of people going to great lengths to declare their colleagues dead.
“If modernity is equivalent to wizardry, then I would rather remain backward. In a society with norms, NO one wishes another dead!!! But some people are going to great lengths to declare the living, and dead! What a shame!!!!!” the UPDF spokesperson tweeted.
On Sunday, Gen. Tumwine’s daughter Cynthia Tumwine took to social media to criticise the false propaganda.
“Adversity will teach you so much about human nature. That said I wouldn’t wish the last 24 hours on anyone. Time travel needs to undo social media because it’s currently in the pits. God is faithful regardless though ❤️ We give him praise,” she tweeted.
